Assessment of conservation practices and threats to wildlife management in Jos Wildlife Park, Nigeria

Abstract

The conservation of biodiversity presents a global challenge that requires coordinated action across spatial and governance scales, including local, national, and international levels. Wildlife parks, though often less formally protected than national parks, play a vital role in preserving biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem services. However, many are increasingly threatened by human encroachment, including urbanization, agriculture, and mining, which degrade habitats and undermine ecological integrity. This study assessed conservation practices and threats to biodiversity management in Jos Wildlife Park, Nigeria, through an integrated approach combining two decades of Landsat-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis, Google Earth image processing, field surveys, and stakeholder interviews. Results showed that NDVI values were consistently higher in the park’s core than in its edge and buffer zones, indicating greater vegetation health at the center. However, declines in vegetation cover toward the park’s periphery reflected significant pressures from surrounding human activities. Field and interview data further revealed limited conservation practices, with challenges in stream and pond management, habitat restoration, and enforcement against illegal activities. Major threats included agricultural encroachment, poaching, and illegal logging, compounded by resource shortages and governance constraints. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted habitat restoration, strengthened law enforcement, and enhanced management capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s urban conservation areas and support the country’s commitment to the global “30 × 30” biodiversity framework.